Why Left 4 Dead's DLC Is Free

[ElArabDeMagnifico]

I think they chose to make this free because a major part of it was unlocking versus mode for the other couple of campaigns, and there'd probably be a backlash over that as really they should have been in the original release.

Yeah this is my vote, because not only have PC gamers hacked that shit and have been playing (bugged) versus mode death toll and dead air, but it was one of the things that people kept saying "it should have been in the game in the first place!" - Then there's the SDK, which, I don't think a PC gamer has payed for like...ever. Unless it came with the game.

 

[johnman]

I at first i was skeptical; about the survivor mode, but it allows for quick frantic games where you can experimnet, somthing the campiagns dont let you do.

 

[Crash486]

I'm getting tired of seeing this kind of thing. It was a map pack. The term DLC was coined by microsoft because it was a BIG DEAL that consoles could now download new content for games. Previously, console games were static, bugs remained bugs if they couldn't be fixed server side, and new content couldn't be added. This was a huge reasoning for why people argued PC gaming was superior to console gaming. The hard drives on the ps2, xbox 360, and ps3 were a big deal in the wake that they changed the way console games were distributed.

However, Valve is and always has been a PC gaming publisher. In the past, game updates and patches weren't referred to as DLC. They were referred to by what they were, patches and map packs, and get this kids; they were all free.

In fact, mods like Left 4 Dead were all free prior to the release of steam and CS 1.6. I guess I'm just getting old, but I remember a better age in gaming, were people weren't surprised off their ass because a map pack and a slight software update was free. It was business as usual. I would like to believe that it is in the tradition of valve's business model that this is why the L4D "DLC" was free.

It's getting harder and harder to find good third party mod developers that don't use steam to try to make a buck off their game. The original counter strike, TFC, DoD, Zombie Panic, and many many more mods were ALL free back in the day. They were all great games, and nobody was surprised they were free. Everyone once in a while, valve would buy the rights to one of the mods (as they did with TFC and CS) and sell them retail as a new release of half-life (ie. game of the year edition, platinum edition) but the mods still existed on the developer's website as free downloads. People released map packs, custom maps, and modifications to those mods all the time, no one ever charged.

Now every third party mod developer and their mom sell their mods via steam to try to turn a profit. It's getting harder and harder to find good third party mod developers who just program as a hobby, and for the love of gaming and programming. Don't get me wrong, steam is a great software distribution system. In fact, i'll go as far as to say it is the best online software distribution system out there. I really hope though it doesn't start turning into an xbox live arcade sort of deal where they start charging you for game updates. That's justa slap in the face to computer gamers everywhere. Sadly, I think that's where we see the future to be headed.

Thanks for reading my $.02

 

[Raziel_Likes_Souls]

Somebody's gotta keep Gabe Newell's kids fed.

I'm reminded of the Family Guy skit which shows the eating habits of John Goodman and his family.

Also, the real answer to the question is, of course, because Valve are AWESOME!

"When can have some food?"
"You can have what's left!"
"There won't be anything left."

But on topic.

Left 4 Dead: Won't sell until they pull that Lost and The Damned trick on Zoe.

 

[Avian Fang]

The L4D DLC was free because it basically ruined the game and the expectations.

1st they took out melee spamming, then they went back on the promise that DLC would feature full frontal nudity.

Eh, what?

Zombie have rotting flesh, but their clothes don't rot.


Yeah right, Valve!!! Come on, zombie boobies are necessary as well as zombie wangs.

....uhhh....I disagree.

Nude-aphobe!!!

Sick sick bastard, maybe you dig rotting corpses, but that's not how we roll around here..

And btw, why do you mind it so much that they took out melee spamming? Because you actually have to play now?

I totally agree melee spamming was irritating at the least. It may be a helpful but on versus seeing the entire work of your boomer attack fail because of melee spamming is annoying. As for the nudity:
- Zombie nudity is really weird
- Zoey though wouldn't be half bad

 

[Avian Fang]

Somebody's gotta keep Gabe Newell's kids fed.

I'm reminded of the Family Guy skit which shows the eating habits of John Goodman and his family.

Also, the real answer to the question is, of course, because Valve are AWESOME!

"When can have some food?"
"You can have what's left!"
"There won't be anything left."

But on topic.

Left 4 Dead: Won't sell until they pull that Lost and The Damned trick on Zoe.

I don't have Lost and the Damned so I have to ask what "trick" are you referring to.

 

[Raziel_Likes_Souls]

Somebody's gotta keep Gabe Newell's kids fed.

I'm reminded of the Family Guy skit which shows the eating habits of John Goodman and his family.

Also, the real answer to the question is, of course, because Valve are AWESOME!

"When can have some food?"
"You can have what's left!"
"There won't be anything left."

But on topic.

Left 4 Dead: Won't sell until they pull that Lost and The Damned trick on Zoe.

I don't have Lost and the Damned so I have to ask what "trick" are you referring to.

I heard that some Guy in Lost & and Damned showed off some peen or something.

 

[headshotcatcher]

The L4D DLC was free because it basically ruined the game and the expectations.

1st they took out melee spamming, then they went back on the promise that DLC would feature full frontal nudity.

Eh, what?

Zombie have rotting flesh, but their clothes don't rot.


Yeah right, Valve!!! Come on, zombie boobies are necessary as well as zombie wangs.

....uhhh....I disagree.

Nude-aphobe!!!

Sick sick bastard, maybe you dig rotting corpses, but that's not how we roll around here..

And btw, why do you mind it so much that they took out melee spamming? Because you actually have to play now?

I totally agree melee spamming was irritating at the least. It may be a helpful but on versus seeing the entire work of your boomer attack fail because of melee spamming is annoying. As for the nudity:
- Zombie nudity is really weird
- Zoey though wouldn't be half bad

Oh my god! Zombie apocalypse!
Everyone go naked before they get us!

..

 

[TsunamiWombat]

The Witch is KINDA naked? And... strangely hot ... >_> <_< NO! BAD THOUGHTS! REMEMBER YOUR PURITY CAMP TRAINING!

This was free because they sat down and said "no one would pay for this. Lets make it free". And somehow they got Microsoft to agree.

 

[Troublesome Lagomorph]

The L4D DLC was free because it basically ruined the game and the expectations.

1st they took out melee spamming, then they went back on the promise that DLC would feature full frontal nudity.

Eh, what?

Zombie have rotting flesh, but their clothes don't rot.


Yeah right, Valve!!! Come on, zombie boobies are necessary as well as zombie wangs.

Ugh... nausea...

 

[dududf]

my little 2 cents on this, I think this game and TF2's DLC is free is very very simple...

You couldn't play with the person that doesn't have your DLC. the person with all of dlc's will be oh so very alone, because lets say if half of the players bought the first dlc and then half of those half bought the next... and so on and so on.

This is a multiplayer game and if the density is too low then no one is going to play it again, and feel reeeaaaally pissed off @ valve for the dick move, FORCING them to buy a DLC if they want to play with their friend that did buy the DLC.

Also it's not huge DLC, 1 guy can make a decent L4D campaign in 2 months, and considering these huge DLC packs are spread out a little, and the amount of people they have programming the thing it's not a huge deal (IMO the only huge deal would be balancing the maps to make it fair for versus and such.)


All in all it's make the DLC free or kill your users and lose public face.

 

[DazZ.]

my little 2 cents on this, I think this game and TF2's DLC is free is very very simple...

You couldn't play with the person that doesn't have your DLC. the person with all of dlc's will be oh so very alone, because lets say if half of the players bought the first dlc and then half of those half bought the next... and so on and so on.

TF2 class updates could be played with everyone. If you just bought the game you are thrown into a game with other players who have all the new weapons and everything whilst you don't.

Maps are a different story but other games have brought out 3 or 4 map packs. (I don't know how that works on consoles as I have them on PC and I can't think of a game where maps are not free DLCs).

 

[dududf]

my little 2 cents on this, I think this game and TF2's DLC is free is very very simple...

You couldn't play with the person that doesn't have your DLC. the person with all of dlc's will be oh so very alone, because lets say if half of the players bought the first dlc and then half of those half bought the next... and so on and so on.

TF2 class updates could be played with everyone. If you just bought the game you are thrown into a game with other players who have all the new weapons and everything whilst you don't.

Maps are a different story but other games have brought out 3 or 4 map packs. (I don't know how that works on consoles as I have them on PC and I can't think of a game where maps are not free DLCs).

Good point, but then the whole of TF2's goal of even/fair gameplay would be shattered. (you're right for most of your point on L4D)

lets assume for arguments sakes that all maps came free regardless and hell maybe even game modes.

What if you had to pay for the class updates.

the people who spent more on the game would have the better weapons, and abilities, like "The Force of Nature" becomes a insta kill sneak weapon similar to the backstab in a way (2 quick shots and most people are dead)

Alot of people would feel annoyed at having to purchase "add ons" for the game, a technique comonly used in free game to get money (from which is a very good business plan, e.x. Nexon, ijji)

All in all it's free dlc for TF2 or lose gamers whne they learn of the "extra fees" and that the game is favored towards people who spend more.

 

[Desert Tiger]

The L4D DLC was free because it basically ruined the game and the expectations.

1st they took out melee spamming, then they went back on the promise that DLC would feature full frontal nudity.

Eh, what?

Zombie have rotting flesh, but their clothes don't rot.


Yeah right, Valve!!! Come on, zombie boobies are necessary as well as zombie wangs.

Ugh... nausea...

Next stop is gang rape mode. Dibs on the boomer.